We demand withdrawal of Citizenship Amendment Bill,2016 immediately.

As citizen of Assam, we register our deep anxiety and distress at the proposed amendment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 which is under consideration of the Joint Pariamentary Committee.

At the moment, based on Assam Accord, at the intervention of the Supreme Court of India, Register General of India is engaged in intensive updating of the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the move to enact a new citizenship laws will destroy the demography, culture and economy of Assam. It will further lead our rich cultural heritage and ethinic identity to crisis.

The attempt of the Central Government to extend citizenship beyond the cutoff date of 24th March, 1971 is not acceptable to the people of Assam. The state is already overburdened with high influx of foreign nationals from Bangladesh and neighbouring counties, causing serious economic and social distress and identity crisis for the indigenous communities of Assam.

Under these circumstances, the proposed amendment poses an existential threat to the existing indigenous communities. Further, we remind you that Prime of India made commitment to make Assam free from illegal migrants in his prepoll rallies.

In view of the above, we condemn the move and demand before you to withdraw the proposed amendment of Citizenship Act immediately.